Exhibiting apparatus



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-SheetY 1. C. S. JENKINS.

EXHIBITING APPARATUS.v

A1\0.473,508. Patented Apr. 26,1892.

(No Model.) asheets-sheet 2.

C. S. JENKINS. PXHIBITING APPARATUS.

No. 473,508. Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

' (N0 MOIGL) 3 Sheets'Sheet 31.

C S JENKINS EXHIBITING APPARATUS.

N0. 473,508. Patented Apr. 26, 1892.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES S. JENKINS, OF LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA.

EXHIBITING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part Of Letters Patent NO. 473,508, 'dated April 26, 1892.

ApplC-tll filed September 24, 1891. Serial No. 406,637. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it'known that 1, CHARLES S. JENKINS, ot the town of Lansdale, Montgomery county, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Exhibiting Apparatus, of which the followingis a speciiication.

My invention relates to exhibiting apparatus; and it consists of certain improvements which are fully set forth in the following specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

More particularly my invention relates to certain improvements upon exhibiting apparatus of the character shown in the Patent of the United States No. 403,673, granted to me on the 21st day of May, A. D. 1889. In that apparatus a series of sheets are connected each at one edge with a rotatable drum or support, so that the outer or free edges of the sheets will project one beyond the other when the sheets are wound up. By rotating this drum or support in one direction any desired sheet may be brought to the front, and by then reversing the rotation of the drum al. the sheets may be un'wound and permitted to hang down, with the desired sheet in front, so as to be exposed to View.

The present invention includes certain improvements in the manner of attaching the series of sheets to the rotary drum so that any sheet may be easily detached or removed, if desired. By this means the sheets may be changed whenever desired.

My invention also includes the employment of compensating devices in connection with the rotary drum to compensate for the variation in Weight acting upon the drum due to the rolling up and -unrolling of the sheets. When the sheets consist of large and heavy charts or maps, this variation in the Weight of the amount unrolled is considerable.

My invention also includes certain means for easily and positively bringing a desired sheet into proper position and exposing it to View.

My invent-ion also relates to devices for illuminating the exposed sheet and to the construction and arrangement of the apparatus whereby it may be conveniently employed in stations, tbc., for indicating the arrival and departure of trains, vessels, dac.

My invention also includes other improvements in construct-ion and combination of parts, all of which are fully described hereinafter and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved exhibiting apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the same on the line fr a: of Fig. 2 on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the rotary ratchet which is connected with the compensating spring. Fig. 6 is a front View of the apparatus adapted for indicating `railway-trains, dec. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of the same on the line y y of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an end elevation of aportion of the same, showing the dial by means of which the desired sheet may be brought tothe front without examining or inspecting the positions of the sheets within the inclosing case. Fig. 9 is a front elevation ot' a portion of the supporting-drum and of the devices for rotating it, illustrating a modification therein. Fig. 1 0 is a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating a modification of the compensating spring devices. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a Lportion of the supporting-drum, showing one manner of attaching the sheets thereto. Figs. l2 and 13 are similar views showing modifications ot the manner of attaching the sheets to the drum. Fig.,14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a perspective View of a portion of that form of the clamping device which is shown in Fig. l2 for holding the sheet on the drum. Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 6 with the devices for illuminating the sheet applied thereto. Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view of the same on the line y y of Fig. 1S. Fig. 1S is a horizontal sectional view on the line z z of Fig. 17, and Figs. 19, 20, 2l, 22, 23, and 24 are diagrams illustrating the manner in which a desired sheet is brought into position and exposed to vlew.

A'is the frame or bracket in which is journaled the shaft b of the rotary drum or cylinder B.

C is a sheave connected with the drum or cylinder B, over which passes the endless cord or band D. This endless band or cord D may be guided below by a roller carried by a spring-wire H. The Wire Il may be de- IOO tachablyconnected with the frame A or other stationary part and acts as a spring to hold the cord D taut. The drum or cylinder is rotated by means of this cord or band D and sheave C. Other convenient means may, however, be employed for rotating the drum. In Fig. 9 is shown a construction in which there is a sprocket-wheel c upon the end of the shaft b and a second sprocket-wheel 7L carried by the wire H, with a chain I between the sprocket-wheels.

E are the sheets which are carried by the drum or cylinder B and which are to be eX- posed to view one at a time.

F is a curved guide arranged above and in the back of the cylinder or drum to guide the free edges when the sheets are wou nd up upon the cylinder. Carried by the guide F are the rollers f, which,l by means of springs G, bearing upon the edge of the guide E, are pressed in contact with the cylinder or drum.

J is a compensating spring, preferably arranged in the top of the frame A, as is shown in Figs. l and 2, and connected by the band j wi-th a drum -K, loosely mounted upon the shaft b. J2 is a guide for the band j. Garried by this drum Kis a ratchet-disk L, the teethv of which are engaged by a spring-pawl Z, carried by the drum or cylinder B. This pawl Z is arranged to engage the ratchet-teeth only when the cylinder B is rotated in the direction to unroll the sheets E and does not engage the ratchet-teeth when the cylinder is rotated in the opposite direction. sheets are rolled up upon the cylinder or drum and the latter is rotated, there is no movement of the ratchet-disk L, and consequently no compression of the spring J. When, however, the drum or cylinder B is rotated in the other direction and the sheets E begin to unroll' therefrom, the pawl Z engages the ratchet-disk L and turns it, winding the band j upon the drum K and correspondingly compressing the spring J. The compression of the spring J continues with the unrolling of the sheets and is proportional to the extent to which they are unrolled, so that it compensates for the weightof the amount unrolled, and thus prevents that weight from causing the drum or cylinder to rotate with undue rapidity or without the continued action of the cord D or of such other devices as may be employed for operating the drum or cylinder. Vhen the. rotation of the drumis reversed to roll up the sheets E, the ratchet-disk L turns with the drum and correspondingly relieves the tension of the spring J. While I prefer this construction of the compensating devices, it is apparent that they may be arranged differently, if desired, while still accomplishing the same object.

In Fig. l0 I have shown a modification in the construction and arrangement. I. is a ratchet-disk fixed to the frame A. K is a disk rotatable upon the shaft b, carryingthe spring-pawl Z. J is a compensating spiral spring between the shaft b and the disk K.

When the When the drum or cylinder rotates in one direction, the pawl l snaps over the teeth of the ratchet L without winding up the spring. Vhen, however, the direction of rotation is reversed, the pawl Z engages the teeth lof the ratchet and locks the disk K against rotation, so that the spring J is wound up, and thus compensates for the Weight of the sheets E unrolled in the manner heretofore described.

For the 'purpose of detachably fastening the sheets E upon the drum or cylinder B, I form the latter with a series of longitudinal grooves a, having their interiors enlarged. In these interior enlargements of the grooves are inserted rods or bars M, having the end of the sheet passed about them. By this means the sheets are attached to the drumor cylinder, and any one thereof may be disconnected by drawing out the bar which carries it.

In Figs. 12 and l5 is shown a modification in which the bars M are divided longitudinally and the sheets are clamped between the two parts. Another modication is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, in which a series of longitudinal strips N are employed, with the edges ofthe sheets placed between them and the surface of the cylinder. These strips N are secured to the cylinder and clamped downv upon the edges of the strips by means of end bands O and clamp 0, Fig. 13. The rods or bars M or the strips N thus constitute clampin g-pieces for detachabiy clamping the sheets upon the drum B.

In Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4 I have shown my invention applied to an open bracket or support, which may be hung or fixed upon the wall of a room, office, or school-building.

' This form is particularly adapted for displaying large maps and charts and for displaying samples of paper, dre.

I shall now describe the invention as es pecially adapted for advertising purposes, station indications, &c.,where it is desired to have the supporting drum or cylinder Within a closed case or cover.

A is a closed box or cover Within which the shaft of the drumB is journaled, as inthe bracket or support A.

P is a glass or sight-opening in the front of the boX orcase, through which the front sheet may be exposed to view. To bring a desired object into position upon-'the drum or cylinder without inspecting the sheets in the interior of the boX, I employ a disk Q, carried upon the shaft b upon the exterior of the case A and provided with a series of holes corresponding in number to the sheets upon the drum. Arranged'upon theoutsideofthecase is a stop Q,against whicha pin g/,inser-ted in one of the holes q, is adapted to strike to stop further rotation of the drum or cylinder in that direction. This stop is so adjusted with reference to the location of the holes q and the sheets E that when the pin in a hole of a certain number strikes thefstop the end of the sheet E corresponding to that number will just have dropped from under the rollers tratos f, as is shown in diagram Fig. 20. Now by rotating the drum in the opposite direction the sheets are unrolled, with this desired sheet E in front immediately behind the glass or opening P, as is shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 9 this disk Q is shown carried by the lower sprocketwheel 71.. Such a construction would be preferable where the drum is to be located at an altitude.

Inv Figs. 16, 17, and 18 I have shown the same form of apparatus with means for illuminating the front sheet. Ris a rod journaled in the back of the case A. carrying arms r r adjacent to its ends, which support a transverse rod or roller S. T is a lever pivoted at t to the case A and having its inner end connected by a link T with a crank-arm 'I2 of the rod R. The rod or roller S is normally in the lower portion of the case A a distance below the drum or cylinder B as indicated in Fig. 17. By operating the lever T the rod or support may be raised into the position shown in the dotted lines in Fig. 17 adjacent to the drum or cylinder B. The arrows in Figs. 16 and 17 show the direction of movement of the parts. U isa lamp or source of light,which may be arranged on the bottom of the case A or may be carried by ,the rod or roller S, as indicated in dotted lines. V is a catch to hold the free end of the lever when it has been depressed. Carried by the lever T are two stops or projections t t2, which are adapted to be successively struck by the pin or stopg in the dial Q. The stop t is so located that when the pin g strikes it the sheet E corresponding to the number of the hole in the dial Q in which the pin g is inserted will be just ready to pass from under the roller f, as shown in diagram Fig. 2l.

I will now describe the operation of the apparatus. The roller S is normally in the position shown in Fig. 1'7 and the sheets E may pass over it when the drum B is rotated. The arms r r are separated a greater distance apart than the width of the sheets, so that they may hang between them. The pin g is inserted in the hole of the dialQ corresponding to the sheet which it is desired to expose to view. In the drawings it is shown inserted in hole No. 1, corresponding to the sheet E. The dial Q and drum B are now rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 29, rolling up the sheets upon the drum, as shown. When the pin g strikes the stop t', the sheet E is in the position shown in Fig. 19, with its end under the roller f. lThe lever T `is now depressed, liftingthe rod S adjacent to the drum B, as shown in Fig. 21. This movement also moves the stop t out of the path of the pin g and brings the second stop t2 in its path. The dial Q is now turned one point more until the pin g strikes the stop 2. The movement of the drum B causes the sheet E to drop from under the roller f upon the rod or roller S, as shown in Fig. 22. Now when the dial Q is rotated in the opposite direction the sheets are al1 unrolled, and the sheet E is upon one side of the rod S, while the other sheets are upon the other side thereof and are held back by the rod, so as to permit the rays of light from the lamp U to fall directly upon Athe back of the sheet E and thoroughly illuminate it. These last movements are as shown in Figs. 23 and 24:. It will thus be seen that the rod S constitutes a movable separator that may be moved to and from the drum I3.

While I prefer the minor details of construction Which have been here shown, I do not limit my invention to them, as it is apparent that they maybe modified in many ways without departing from it.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotary shaft, a drum fast to said shaft, a series of sheets carried by the drum and adapted to be rolled upon the drum and unrolled therefrom when the shaft is rotated, a pawl-and-ratchet device having one member thereof carried by the drum and positively moved therewith and the other member loosely journaled upon the shaft, a compensatory spring, and a flexible connection between the compensatory spring and the member of the pawl-and-ratchet device, which is loosely carried by the rotary shaft, whereby when the shaft and its drum are positively rotated to unroll the sheets the fast member of the pawland-ratchet device is also rotated with the drum and shaft and the flexible connection is wound up thereon to increase the tension upon the compensatory spring and thus compensate for the weight of the sheets that have been unrolled.

2. In exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotary drum having a series of sheets attached thereto so that their ends overlap when the sheets are wound up, a lamp, and a movable separating-rod movable to and from the rotary drum t0 hold back all of the sheets but one away from the rays of the light from t-he lamp.

3. In exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotatable drum having a series of longitudinal grooves and a series of detachable clamping-pieces, each made in two parts, to clamp a sheet between the parts and adapted to be received in the grooves of the drum.

4. In an exhibiting apparatus, the combination ot a rotary drum having :its periphery provided with a series of longitudinal grooves having an enlarged internal diameter with a contracted opening, a series of sheets, and a series of clamping-pieces adapted to be received in the enlarged portions of said grooves to hold the sheets therein.

5. In an exhibiting apparatus, the combination ofa rotary drum, a series of sheets attached thereto so that the ends overlap when the sheets are wound up, a dial connected with IOO IIO

said drum, so as to rotate therewith, provided l with a series of openings or apertures corresponding to the number of the sheets, a pin adapted to be inserted in said holes, and a stop in the path of said pin.

6. In an exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotary drum having a series of sheets attached thereto so that the ends overlap when the sheets are wound up, a rotary dial connected with said drum, so as to rotate therewith, a pin carried by said dial, and a stop in the path of the pin to arrest the rotation ot' the dial and drum at any desired position.

7. In exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotary drum, a series of sheets carried thereby so that the ends overlap when the sheets are Wound up, a dial Q, carried by said drum, a fixed stop Q', adjacent to the dial, and a movable pin carried by the dial and adapted to be moved so as to strike the stop when the dial is rotated to arrest the drum in a desired position.

8. In an exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotary drum having a series of sheets attached thereto so that their ends overlap when the sheets are wound up, a lamp, a movable separating-rod, and mechanism to move said rod to and from the drum to hold back all the sheets but one away from the rays of light from the lamp.

9. In an exhibiting apparatus, the combination of a rotary drum having a series of sheets attached thereto so that their ends overlap when the sheets are Wound up, a lamp, a' sepat rating-rod S, a lever to raise said rod to and 3 from the drum, the dial Q, ping, and stops't t2.

10. In an exhibiting apparatus, the combi# nation of a closed case having a sight-opening, a lamp within said case, a rotary drum, a series of sheets attached to said drum so that their ends overlap when the sheets are wound up, a separating-rod S, a lever T, connections between said lever and rod S, whereby the latter may be moved to and from the dru'm, a rotary dial connected with said drum, so as to rotate therewith, a pin g, carried by th'e dial, and stops t t2, carried by the leverT and adapted to be moved successively in the path of the pin g.

In testimony of which invention I have 5o hereunto set my hand.

CHARLES S. JENKINS'. Witnesses:

SYL. JENKINS, WILsoN H. GoDcHALL. 

